The sheer volume and variety of detritus – from toilet cisterns, kitchen sinks, World War II mines and lampposts, to motorcycles and even entire boats – dredged up from Lake Pamvotida has taken the cleanup crews of the Greek Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA) by surprise.
But it is also indicative of how the residents of Ioannina treat their lake: as a dump.
“We’re not talking about regular garbage, but countless big items, too,” says Katerina Chiotelli, OFYPEKA’s supervisor for Epirus’ protected nature sites.
The response from many locals, however, has been overwhelmingly positive. “People tell us, ‘It’s about time!’”
“The objective is not only to improve the lake’s ecological condition, but also to raise public awareness,” says Chiotelli of the €600,000 cleanup operation.
